My Ohio Roots And “Hang On Sloopy”

by Kevin Burton    The shirt I had just bought said “Sweet Home Kansas’ or “Down Home in Kansas,” something like that, and it was supposed to make a statement.    With decidedly mixed emotions I had just taken a job in Kansas and left my homeland, Ohio, behind. The shirt was one way of …

Honor God, The Creator And Designer Of Life

by Dane Massey     (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)       From my late teen years I have been involved in construction. Sometimes as a side job, sometimes as a means to meet and minister to people and sometimes as a means …

Des Moines Isn’t Boring, Really, I Mean It

by Kevin Burton    Did you know there is a Memphis, Missouri?    Fewer than 2,000 people live there. We came perilously close to joining them on vacation two weeks ago.    We had planned to see the big Memphis – the BB King-Jerry Lee Lewis-Johnny Cash Memphis – but a flood warning for the …

There Is A Method To My March Madness

by Kevin Burton    I can’t imagine a scenario where I am completely immune to the madness.    While you and your office mates filled out brackets last week, that was only a fleeting thought for me. Didn’t come close to working up the enthusiasm. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be found on the …

A Wichita State, Post-Season Resurrection

by Kevin Burton    I printed an NIT bracket Sunday night, because I always do. I was looking for one thing, but got myself a shocker.    Make that a Shocker, capital S  Shocker.    Just two days after Wichita State lost in the American Athletic Conference Tournament, and one day after I posted a …

Deflated Wichita State Program Limps Offstage

by Kevin Burton    Well, at least it’s over.    The 2024-25 version of Wichita State basketball bowed out yesterday, when the Shockers lost an American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal game to Memphis 83-80.    The team went 19-14 this year and will not go to a post-season tournament. They were far from sublime, not …

“Bachelor For A Day” Changes Cat Litter!

by Kevin Burton    So, what happens at the Burton household when Jeannette is away visiting relatives? Well it’s not fodder for a screenplay, I can tell you that.    You can call it bachelor for a day if you want, but this truly is not that.  We have long since commenced functioning as a …

My Shifting Sports Team Allegiances

by Kevin Burton    Time and location, location, location, can change even the most fervent loyalties when it comes to sports fan allegiances.       On ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption, Tony Kornheiser talks about the New York Mets as “the team of my youth” to differentiate it from his current favorite, the Washington Nationals. That is …

Teachers Sue District Over Free Speech

by Suzanne Perez KMUW WICHITA— A pair of substitute teachers is suing the Lansing school district near Kansas City, alleging they were barred from working as subs because they spoke out against school policies.    Vera Daniels and Celeste Hoins claim in the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, that Lansing school board members violated their …

Here’s To Life In The Age Of Invisibility

by Kevin Burton    The same little girl said a sunshiny “hi” to me twice in the grocery store Tuesday. This was astounding to me, since I am invisible.    You make your circuits in a smallish store and you may cross paths with the same people multiple times.    I gave the girl the …